Senator Robin Padilla is calling for a Senate investigation into reported cases of rape and sexual assault within the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
His Senate Resolution 1162 aims to amend the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act No. 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.
“Public information aids people in making healthier and more enhanced decisions,” said Padilla.
“Conducting an information campaign about the realities inside organizations like the CPP-NPA can play an important role in discouraging students and the youth in joining rebel groups,” he added.
The senator cited several cases of former female communist rebels, who testified during a Senate hearing about the alleged sexual abuses in the CPP-NPA.
Lady Desiree Miranda, a former chair of Anakbayan Central Luzon, alleged that she was raped by her commander in 2016, molested by her squad leader in 2017, and sexually assaulted by a comrade in 2018.
Another former rebel, “Ka Shane,” accused her former NPA commander and platoon leader of raping her when she was a combatant at 15 years old.
She charged her former squad leader and the platoon vice commander, who she said abused her in 2016 when she was with the Caraballo Guerrilla Front in Nueva Ecija.
A former cadre named Arian Jane Ramos also alleged that said she personally met women who were victims of sexual abuse by their male comrades and commanders.IMT
